Lane Pleads In Rape, Assault Case

Dennis Lane A 62-year-old Hustontown man faces a maximum 77-year prison sentence after having pleaded guilty this week to allegations he raped and sexually assaulted a boy.

Lead prosecutor Tony Forray of the state attorney general’s office told the court on Tuesday, Dennis Eugene Lane has been subject to ongoing plea negotiations as a result of his November 2010 arrest on three counts each of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, aggravated indecent assault, indecent assault; two counts of rape and one count of statutory sexual assault, indecent exposure, corruption of minors and unlawful contact with a minor.

The charges have been linked to ongoing sexual encounters between Lane and the male juvenile, who is now 15 years old. The timeline for the offenses falls between September 26, 2007, and November 5, 2010.

In a written statement provided to investigating officer Trooper Angela Madden of the Pennsylvania State Police, Mc- Connellsburg substation, the victim stated, “I believe I am not the only one he has molested, and I believe I am not the last. I was physically hurt, emotionally hurt, spiritually hurt and my social life has definitely been negatively influenced by him.”

“... I was just an ordinary kid and now I have memories that will never leave my head. I hope that I will be able to recuperate from this, but I don’t believe I will,” said the boy, who added he was fearful to speak out against Lane.

Attorney Forray outlined for the court on July 12 the mandatory minimum sentence for each count, to which Lane entered a guilty plea. Those charges include one count each of rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, statutory sexual assault, corruption of minors, unlawful contact with a minor and indecent assault.

Forray also went into great detail explaining to Lane, who is represented by defense attorney Greg Abeln, that certain charges were not based on consent or an agreement between himself and the victim but solely on the act committed and age difference. Forray stated the commonwealth was not alleging Lane physically forced himself onto the youth, but instead used the advantages of intelligence, moral character and psychology to coerce the victim.

The prosecutor said even though the six pled-to charges carry a potential of 77 years incarceration, his request to Judge Carol L. Van Horn of the Fulton County Court of Common Pleas was for an aggregate sentence of 11 to 22 years in a state correctional institution. The court may weigh the request by in no means has to follow through with that particular sentence.

“A lot of thought went into this, a number just wasn’t picked out of the air,” said Forray regarding the suggested sentence. The judge reminded Lane, of 476 Quarry Hill Road, he could be held in prison beyond the proposed minimum 11 years depending on his behavior.

Forray further requested Lane be evaluated by the Sexual Offenders Assessment Board to determine if he should be listed as a sexually violent predator through Megan’s Law. A hearing could be requested by participating counsel pending the results of the board’s findings.

Sentencing has tentatively been scheduled for October 11. Lane remains incarcerated in the Franklin County Prison in lieu of $250,000 bail.